Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the gloss of a surface with a light source projecting light in the direction of the surface and a light-sensitive sensor receiving the light reflected from the surface and converting it into an electrical signal value. A memory storing a program for calculating the characteristic gloss value, a computer for calculating a characteristic gloss value from the electrical signal value, and a display for visually displaying the calculated characteristic gloss value are provided. Five or more reference value pairs are stored in the memory, each pair consisting of a reference characteristic gloss value and a corresponding reference electrical signal value measured by the apparatus on the basis of the reference surface. The measured electrical signal value is compared with the reference signal values and at least the next higher and the next lower value for interpolating the measured gloss.

Abstract: An image input device photoelectrically reads a document and outputs digital data. This image reader includes a first voltage generating circuit for generating a first voltage for setting an upper limit of contrast, a second voltage generating circuit for generating a second voltage for setting a lower limit of contrast, and an A/D converter for converting an input analog signal to a digital signal in accordance with the first and second voltages. At least one of the voltages generated by the first voltage generating circuit and second voltage generating circuit is variable.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a measurand includes a fiber field access block having a clad fiber positioned in the fiber field access block such that a portion of the fiber is exposed to an outer surface and any cladding on that portion of the clad fiber is thinner than required to prevent an evanescent wave from escaping the clad fiber. A measurand sensitive layer is provided over the outer surface. A grating is present in either the measurand sensitive layer or the fiber. An optical source and an optical detection component are coupled to the clad fiber. The optical detection component measures shifts in output signals resulting from presence of the measurand in the environment of the fiber field access block caused by changing Bragg conditions which result from swelling of the measurand sensitive layer. The concentration of the measurand can be determined from the detected shifts.

Abstract: An optical data medium driving apparatus which constitutes amplifiers for an output current signal of photosensor by a plurality of current mirror circuits different in an amplification factor in order to switch in a wide range the output current signal of the photosensor which detects quantity of the reflected light corresponding to variation of the quantity of reflected light from an optical data medium having various characteristics, thereby obtaining the output with high accuracy and in a wide band, and a servo circuit which uses for an AGC circuit nomalizing a difference signal from each light receiving surface at a photosensor having a plurality of the light receiving surfaces an A/D converter which is given the difference signal as an analog input signal and the sum signal as the reference input signal and outputs an offset binary type digital signal, thereby being inexpensive to be produced, easy to be integrated and have high function, and high in reliability.

Abstract: A check Sorter-Imager-Processor with two (or more) imaging sites, each lit by a beam through a fibre-optic array, with a lens focusing the beam on each array such that a shift in lens-focus reduces output light from the array--the two sites being thus "matched" in light-intensity by merely focus-adjusting these lenses.

Abstract: An optoelectronic detector using a photodetector (1) and a stress induction device for inducing elastic waves with the stress inducing device being mechanically coupled to the photodetector. The stress inducing device includes an excitation which permits the transmission of the elastic waves.

Abstract: An optical distribution system incorporating an improved luminescent based optical fiber sensor incorporating a signal generating component for generating a first optical signal, a signal separating component for delivering said first optical signal to the sensor, delivering said second returned optical signal to an associated signal detector, and including signal interference means to separate said first and second signals and minimize cross-talk therebetween. A sensor optical fiber connects a sensor tip to the signal separating component. The signal detector receives a returned signal from the signal separating component and transmits it to a signal-measuring component of the distribution system.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) having a light-sensitive image section (40) and two readout registers (42, 44), situated at opposite ends of the image section, the device being arranged so that light-induced pockets of charge in the image section may be read out along either of the two registers, the outputs of the two registers being merged (46) to provide one common output for the device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first processing device which processes in a normal mode for dynamically driving photoelectric detectors in groups so as to sequentially read detection signals from the photoelectric detectors in the groups, second processing device which process in a photoelectric detector check mode for driving a designated group of photoelectric detectors. Switching between processes by the processors is accomplished by a switching device. When the photoelectric detectors are checked, the photoelectric detector driving mode is switched from the normal mode to the photoelectric detector check mode by the switching device.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for determining the position of a movable element with respect to a pair of spaced reference means, e.g. mirrors, rotatable around parallel shafts. The movable element emits a light beam from a position to both mirrors. As a result of the rotation, the two mirrors convert the reflected light beam into a light pulse series. Each of these light pulse series is detected by a detector, which detected light pulse series are supplied to a processing unit for calculating from the light pulse series and from a starting pulse the position of the movable element with respect to both mirrors.

Abstract: An optocoupler for isolating electrical signals that translates an electrical input signal linearly to an electrical output signal. The optocoupler comprises a light emitter, a light receiver, and a light transmitting medium. The light emitter, preferably a blue, silicon carbide LED, is of the type that provides linear, electro-optical conversion of electrical signals within a narrow wavelength range. Correspondingly, the light receiver, which converts light signals to electrical signals and is preferably a cadmium sulfide photoconductor, is linearly responsive to light signals within substantially the same wavelength range as the blue LED.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup apparatus comprises pixels each of which is composed of a photoelectric transducer element having a function of amplification, and further comprises FPN suppression circuits basic cells provided for the pixel, wherein the FPN suppression circuit comprises an inverting amplifier; an input capacitor connected between the output of the pixel and the input of the inverting amplifier; a n-MOS transistor for supplying an initial voltage to the input of the inverting amplifier; a feedback capacitor one terminal of which is connected to the input of the inverting amplifier; a n-MOS transistor connected between the other terminal of the feedback capacitor and the output of the inverting amplifier; and a n-MOS transistor connected between the node connecting the above two elements and a reference voltage source.

Abstract: A variable impedence photodiode detector circuit for use in detecting signals in the infrared (IR) includes circuitry to maintain a constant reverse bias voltage on the photodetector to maintain the best signal transfer characteristics regarding frequency response, analog bandwidth, sensitivity, output current range, and signal-to-noise ratio over an operating range from total darkness to maximum daylight. A series current source varies the current to the photodiode in response to variations in detector impedence.

Abstract: A system for measuring lengths or angles comprises a scale member provided with absolutely coded scale elements and incremental scale elements, a movable scanning unit generating position-dependent signals in response to the reading of the scale elements, and an evaluating unit for determining the absolute position of the scanning unit relative to the scale member in response to the position-dependent signals. The coded scale elements consist of different code words arranged according to a serial code and are read by a multiline detector which, in any position of the scanning unit relative to the scale member, reads at least an entire code word.

Abstract: A self-contained pen computer is provided that is capable of acquiring data representative of written strokes of the stylus of the pen and then recognizing the symbols associated with these pen strokes, or compacting these strokes. These recognized symbols or compacted strokes are stored in a memory contained in the pen and are transmitted via a transmitter contained in the pen to a host computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performs the detection of an edge of a tape and further controls the read/write head to position itself relative to the detected edge. An array of photodetectors in an integrated circuit chip senses the intensity of light illuminating the chip with the tape running between the light source and the photodetectors. A light-to-dark transition is formed which is indicative of the edge of the tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performs the detection of an edge of a tape and further controls the read/write head to position itself relative to the detected edge. An array of photodetectors in an integrated circuit chip senses the intensity of light illuminating the chip with the tape running between the light source and the photodetectors. A light-to-dark transition is formed which is indicative of the edge of the tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-optic pressure detector comprising a mat having an optical fiber running therethrough along a path with no fiber-fiber crossovers, which fiber is associated with a light source and a light receiver. The light receiver receives light flux transmitted by the optical fiber from the source, thereby showing up any changes to which the flux is subjected because of deformation to the optical fiber caused by a pressure force being applied to the mat, thereby enabling said force to be detected. The optical fiber is mounted on a support sheet made of plastic, and it passes back-and-forth through the support sheet via through holes, said support sheet being sandwiched between two other sheets of greater or lesser rigidity depending on the sensitivity desired for the detector mat.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the state of a movement or stoppage of a yarn fed to a textile machine in which a variation in the shape and/or position of the yarn relative to an optical sensor in front of which the yarn runs during its feed to the textile machine is determined. On the basis of this variation, an output electrical signal is generated and is used for operating an operating member of the textile machine such as an indicator for indicating the state of movement of the yarn, a machine control circuit or a similar operating member. The method is implemented by an optical sensor which generates at least one output which is a variable electrical signal on the basis of a variation in the shape and/or position of the yarn relative to the sensor. The signal is compared with a reference signal in order to operate a switch device which causes the output electrical signal to be generated.

Abstract: A passive safety device comprises a sensor unit for determining vehicle accelerations and decelerations, an evaluating unit for evaluating the output signal of the sensor unit, and a triggering unit for the activation of an occupant protection system upon the reception of a trigger signal, to protect the occupants from injuries. The individual units of the safety device are connected by way of optical lightguides, i.e. the communication among the individual units takes place through optical light signals. The sensor unit has an optical-mechanical acceleration sensor with at least one input lightguide, light being transmitted to the acceleration sensor by way of this lightguide. This light is transmitted within the acceleration sensor to at least one output lightguide. The optical system of the acceleration sensor arranged between the two lightguides is exposed to the accelerations to be detected and changes its optical properties in dependence on the magnitude of the acceleration forces.